Center store design, method and arrangement for retail markets

Abstract

A shelving layout concept which allows selective configuration and reconfiguration of the orientation of certain shelving systems within the central portion of a store to create a PrimeZone area including an assembly of End Caps, Center Caps, Power Sets, Corner Boards, Hot Spots and Banner Boards, the combination of which provides a solution for enabling retailers to re-invigorate their Center Store, increase their vendor promotional revenue, and increase their in-store sales due to more favorable consumer response to greater promotional activity and the continuing change of product venues in key areas of the store layout. The concept also includes novel hardware which enables the reconfiguration of the shelving layout to accommodate vendors' desire to change display schemes.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A store arrangement of product display units defining a Primezone sub-area within a Center Store area of a store design of the type including a Center Store area having a plurality of long parallel rows of product display units respectively separated by customer walking aisles, the arrangement being implemented by a process comprising:
 providing a first break in a portion of a first row of the Center Store, and a second break in a corresponding portion of an adjacent second row of the plurality of long parallel rows of product display units of the Center Store area; 
 providing a first Center Cap having an elongated product display system including a plurality of display units and having one end thereof disposed in engagement with an end of a first display unit of the first row and bordering one side of said first break, said first Center Cap being oriented to have the length thereof extending at a first angle relative to the length of the first row and toward said second break; 
 providing a second Center Cap having one end thereof disposed in engagement with a second display unit of the first row and bordering the other side of the break in the first row, said second Center Cap being oriented to have the length thereof extending at a second angle relative to the length of the first row and toward said second break; and providing first means joining the other ends of the first and second Center Caps to form a first alcove-like Power Set area within and around which to display products; 
 wherein products disposed on one side of said first Center Cap generally face customers entering the aisle between the first and second rows from one side of the store, and products disposed on one side of said second Center Cap generally face customers entering the aisle between the first and second rows from the opposite side of the store; and 
 wherein one side of said second break in said second row, is bordered by a first End Cap positioned no closer to said first Center Cap than the width of the aisle between said first and second rows, and the other side of said second break is bordered by a second End Cap positioned no closer to said second Center Cap than the width of the aisle between said first and second rows, thereby providing pathways joining said first aisle to said second aisle; 
 providing breaks in a third row adjacent said second row and in a fourth row adjacent said third row of the plurality of long parallel rows of product display systems in the Center Store area; 
 providing a third elongated product display system having one end thereof disposed in engagement with a display system forming one side of the break in said fourth row and extending at a first angle relative to the length of the fourth row and toward the break in said third row; 
 providing a fourth elongated product display system having one end thereof disposed in engagement with a display system forming the other side of the break in said fourth row and extending at a third angle relative to the length of said fourth row and toward the break in the said third row; and 
 providing second means joining the other ends of said third and fourth elongated display systems to form a second alcove-like Power Set area within which to display products, said third and fourth elongated display systems being separated from corresponding sides of the break in said third row to form passageways connecting the customer walking aisle disposed between said third and fourth rows and the customer walking aisle disposed on an opposite side of the third row. 
 
     
     
       2. A store arrangement implemented by a process as recited in  claim 1  wherein said Center Caps are comprised of a plurality of moveable gondolas rigidly linked together. 
     
     
       3. A store arrangement as recited in  claim 2  wherein at least some of said movable gondolas are rendered movable by a plurality of supporting glider devices each comprising:
 a cylindrical plug having threads formed on its outer cylindrical surface, means formed on one axial end thereof for facilitating attachment to a lower extremity of the gondola to be supported thereby above a supporting surface, and a plurality of roller means affixed to the opposite axial end thereof; and 
 a sleeve having a threaded bore extending axially therethrough and adapted to threadably receive said plug, said sleeve being rotatable about said plug to advance from a retracted position on said plug allowing said rollers to support the gondola to an extended position on said plug raising said roller means out of engagement with the gondola supporting surface. 
 
     
     
       4. A store arrangement as recited in  claim 3  wherein the opposite axial end of said plug includes a plurality of sockets, and said roller means includes a plurality of spherically shaped roller balls disposed in said sockets. 
     
     
       5. A process for providing a PrimeZone sub-area within a Center Store area of a retail establishment, the Center Store area having a plurality of product display systems aligned in a plurality of long parallel rows defining customer walkways therebetween; the process comprising:
 providing a first break in a first row of said plurality of long parallel rows of said Center Store area and a corresponding second break in a second row of said plurality of long parallel rows of said Center Store area adjacent said first break; 
 providing in said first break a first elongated product display system fitted with glider devices adapted to facilitate movement thereof from one position to another, said first product display system having one end thereof disposed in engagement with another display system defining one side of the first break-in said first row; 
 rotating said first elongated product display system into a position having its length extending at an angle relative to the length of said first row and toward said second break in said second row; 
 providing in said first break a second elongated product display system fitted with glider devices adapted to facilitate movement thereof from one position to another, said second product display system having one end thereof disposed in engagement with a display system defining the other side of the first break in said first row, said first elongated product display system having its length extending at an angle relative to the length of said first row and toward the second break in said second row; 
 providing a first means joining the other ends of said first and second elongated display systems to form a first alcove-like Power Set area within which to display products, wherein said first and second elongated display systems are separated from corresponding sides of the second break in said second row to form passageways connecting the customer walking aisle disposed between said first and second rows and the customer walking aisle disposed on an opposite side of the second row: 
 providing a third break in a third row of said plurality of long parallel rows of said Center Store area adjacent said second row, and a corresponding fourth break in a fourth row of said plurality of long parallel rows of said Center Store area adjacent said third break; 
 providing in said fourth break a third elongated product display system fitted with glider devices adapted to facilitate movement thereof from one position to another, said third product display system having one end thereof disposed in engagement with another display system defining one side of the fourth break in said fourth row; 
 rotating said fourth elongated product display system into a position having its length extending at an angle relative to the length of said fourth row and toward said third break in said third row; 
 providing in said fourth break a fourth elongated product display system fitted with glider devices adapted to facilitate movement thereof from one position to another, said fourth product display system having one end thereof disposed in engagement with a display system defining the other side of the fourth break in said fourth row, said fourth elongated product display system having its length extending at an angle relative to the length of said fourth row and toward the third break in said third row; and 
 providing a second means joining the other ends of said third and fourth elongated display systems to form a second alcove-like Power Set area within which to display products, wherein said third and fourth elongated display systems are separated from corresponding sides of the third break in said third row to form passageways connecting the customer walking aisle disposed between said third and fourth rows and the customer walking aisle disposed on an opposite side of the third row. 
 
     
     
       6. A store arrangement as recited in  claim 5  and further comprising at least one Banner Board extending across the aisle separating said second and third rows. 
     
     
       7. A process as recited in  claim 5  wherein said first means includes a fifth elongated display system having one end thereof joined to the other end of said first elongated display system and having a second end thereof joined to the other end of said second elongated display system. 
     
     
       8. A store arrangement of product display units defining a Primezone sub-area within a Center Store area of a store design of the type including a Center Store area having a plurality of long parallel rows of product display units respectively separated by customer walking aisles, the arrangement being implemented by a process comprising:
 providing a first break in a portion of a first row of the Center Store, and a second break in a corresponding portion of an adjacent second row of the plurality of long parallel rows of product display units of the Center Store area; 
 providing a first Center Cap having an elongated product display system including a plurality of display units and having one end thereof disposed in engagement with an end of a first display unit of the first row and bordering one side of the first break, said first Center Cap being oriented to have the length thereof extending at a first angle relative to the length of the first row and toward said second break; 
 providing a second Center Cap having one end thereof disposed in engagement with a second display unit of the first row and bordering the other side of the break in the first row, said second Center Cap being oriented to have the length thereof extending at a second angle relative to the length of the first row and toward said second break; and 
 providing first means joining the other ends of the first and second Center Caps to form a first alcove-like Power Set area within and around which to display products; 
 wherein products disposed on one side of said first Center Cap generally face customers entering the aisle between the first and second rows from one side of the store, and products disposed on one side of said second Center Cap generally face customers entering the aisle between the first and second rows from the opposite side of the store; and 
 wherein one side of said second break, in said second row, is bordered by a first End Cap positioned no closer to said first Center Cap than the width of the aisle between said first and second rows, and the other side of said second break is bordered by a second End Cap positioned no closer to said second Center Cap than the width of the aisle between said first and second rows, thereby providing pathways joining said first aisle to an aisle on the opposite side of said second row; 
 providing a third break in a third one of said plurality of long parallel rows of product display units of the Center Store area adjacent said first row, and a fourth break in an adjacent fourth one of said rows of the plurality of long parallel rows of product display units of the Center Store area; 
 providing a third Center Cap having one end thereof disposed in engagement with a first display unit of the third row and bordering one side of said third break, said third Center Cap being oriented to have the length thereof extending at a third angle relative to the length of the third row and toward said fourth break; 
 providing a fourth Center Cap having one end thereof disposed in engagement with a second display unit of the third row and bordering the other side of the break in the third row, said fourth Center Cap being oriented to have the length thereof extending at a fourth angle relative to the length of the third row and toward said fourth break; and 
 providing second means joining the other ends of the third and fourth Center Caps to form a second alcove-like Power Set area within and around which to display products; 
 wherein products disposed on one side of said third Center Caps generally face customers entering a third aisle between the third and fourth rows from one side of the store, and products disposed on one side of said fourth Center Cap generally face customers entering the third aisle from the opposite side of the store; and 
 wherein one side of said fourth break is bordered by a third End Cap positioned no closer to said third Center Cap than the width of the third aisle, and the other side of said fourth break is bordered by a fourth End Cap positioned no closer to said fourth Center Cap than the width of the third aisle, thereby providing pathways joining said third aisle to an aisle on the opposite side of said fourth row. 
 
     
     
       9. A store arrangement as recited in  claim 8  wherein said first means includes a fifth Center Cap having one end thereof joined to the other end of said first Center Cap and a second end thereof joined to the other end of said second Center Cap. 
     
     
       10. A store arrangement as recited in  claim 8  and further including means forming a Hot Spot display unit disposed within a central portion of said first Power Set area. 
     
     
       11. A store arrangement as recited in  claim 8  wherein said first Center Cap has a generally rectangular plan form and includes product display units on both sides thereof, and wherein the engagement between said one end of said first Center Cap and said first display unit forming one side of the break in said first row provides a space for accommodating the positioning of a first Corner unit between the facing ends of said first Center Cap and said first display unit. 
     
     
       12. A store arrangement as recited in  claim 11  wherein the engagement between said one end of said second Center Cap and said second display unit forming the other side of the break in said first row provides a space for accommodating the positioning of a second Corner unit between the facing ends of said second Center Cap and said second display unit. 
     
     
       13. A store arrangement as recited in  claim 12  wherein said first means includes a third Center Cap having one end thereof joined to the other end of said first Center Cap and providing a space for accommodating a third Corner unit, and another end thereof joined to the other end of said second Center Cap and providing a space for accommodating a fourth Corner unit. 
     
     
       14. A store arrangement implemented by a process as recited in  claim 13  wherein at least some of said Center Caps are comprised of two rows of moveable gondolas rigidly linked together in parallel to form an elongated display unit accessible from opposite sides thereof. 
     
     
       15. A store arrangement as recited in  claim 8  wherein at least said first Center Cap and said second Center Cap are fitted with glider devices adapted to facilitate movement of the product display units from one position to another. 
     
     
       16. A store arrangement as recited in  claim 15  wherein said glider devices include:
 a cylindrical plug having threads formed on its outer cylindrical surface, attachment means formed on one axial end thereof for fixed engagement with a lower part of the product display system, and a plurality of roller means disposed on the opposite axial end thereof for rollingly engaging a surface supporting the display system; and 
 a sleeve having a threaded bore extending axially therethrough and adapted to threadably receive said plug, whereby said sleeve may be advanced from a retracted position on said plug to an extended position engaging the supporting surface and raising said roller means out of engagement with the supporting surface thereby leveling and/or fixing the system in position relative to the surface. 
 
     
     
       17. A store arrangement as recited in  claim 16  wherein said roller means are spherical in shape and said opposite axial end of said plug is provided with sockets for matingly receiving the spherical roller means. 
     
     
       18. A store arrangement as recited in  claim 8  and further comprising means disposed within a central portion of said first Power Set area defining a Hot Spot area. 
     
     
       19. A store arrangement as recited in  claim 8  and further comprising means disposed within central portions of said first and second Power Set areas defining Hot Spot areas. 
     
     
       20. A store arrangement implemented by a process as recited in  claim 8  and further comprising providing at least one Banner Board extending across the aisle separating said first and fourth rows. 
     
     
       21. A store arrangement implemented by a process as recited in  claim 8  wherein at least some of said Center Caps are comprised of a plurality of moveable gondolas rigidly linked together.